Manatees came to being in the middle Eocene period around 45
to 50 million years ago. Now, scientists believe that manatees are closely related to elephants. Before recent studies, the
belief was that the manatee was most closely related to the rhinosorous. Scientists believe that they evolved from land mammals
and became an aquatic species. (2) Although manatees do not currently have hind limbs, it is believed they once did. This
is believed because they have a vestigial pelvic bone. (9)
The
jaw of a manatee is one in which has greatly adapted to its herbivorous way of life. Along with their unique jaw structure,
manatees teeth and lip have also greatly changed. To allow for easy chewing, manatees have several molars to chew and break
down their food. To guide food into their mouths, manatees have large, split lower lips. (3)
The Manatee....(2)
Phylum: Cordata
Class: Mammalia
Order:
Trichechidae
Species:
Amazonian Manatee - Trichechus Inunguis
West African Manatee - Trichechus Senagalensis
West Indian Manatee - Trichechus Manatus
Sub Species:
Florida
Manatee - Trichechs Manatus Latirostris
Antillian
Manatee - Trichechus Manatus Manatus
Manatees are related to the Dugongidae (Arctic Sea Cows) family which are now extinct. The Arctic Sea Cow became
extinct because they did not have the proper fitness to survive and reproduce. (2)
The diagram below shows the changes that have occurred over time. It also shows how manatees living
in different parts of the world have adapted to their environments differently. (Source linked to the picture)
